The latest figures from the NHS Litigation Authority has indicated that the NHS has been left with a record bill for compensation payments of £1.3 billion in the last 12 months. This is a 50% increase on the previous year with more than 14,000 cases going through the system. The majority of cases related to medical negligence and a smaller number related to slips, trips and falls on NHS property. Of the total mount, lawyers received £230 million and it is felt that the rise is mostly down to patients being urged to bring cases by no win no fee lawyers rather than worsening care by staff. A spokesperson from the Department of Health has said that it is right that people should seek compensation if they feel they have been mistreated, however the vast majority receive excellent care.

It is thought that those customers affected by the banking problems at the Ulster Bank in Northern Ireland could be eligible for compensation payments due to the length of time it has taken for their system to be back up and running. The problems which affected RBS and Natwest in Britain, also affect the Ulster Bank in Northern Ireland, but the latter bank has failed to fix the issues as yet. The bank has announced that most customers can expect their service to be resumed from the week starting July 16. This is one month after the problems first surfaced. Jim Brown from Ulster Bank has said that they are looking at compensation and that the service they have given is not acceptable. It has also been questioned as to why the bank did not have a contingency plan in place before it started its software changes.

A Northern Ireland policeman who lost a leg in a bomb attack has been told that he will not receive compensation because he was not on duty at the time of the attack. Peadar Heffron was injured when a bomb exploded underneath his car in 2010. He was on his way to work in Belfast and had driven around one mile when the bomb exploded. He now uses a wheelchair and has been unable to return to work. He was seeking compensation from the Industrial Injuries Tribunal and it appears as though the fact he was on his way to work has become a sticking point. The Police Federation believe that travel to and from work is considered being on duty and he will continue to receive full pay while recovering. The case is likely to be appealed.

The owner of a cafe has said that she may lose her business because of a compensation claims being made against her by a gasman. Jean Taylor has said that the gasman slipped and fell on a wet floor at her cafe when reading her meter. He broke two ribs and instructed a no win no fee solicitor to take on his case. He was awarded £2,000 in an out of court settlement but Mrs Taylor was then given a bill for legal fees amounting to £20,000. She appealed against the fees, but has lost and now needs to pay £30,000 plus her own legal fees. She has been told she must pay a minimum of £1500 a month, an amount which will mean she either loses the business or her home.